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UNREFINED PALETTE AND UNCENSORED MOUTH

Monday, February 17, 2014

Fish Tacos

And now, fish tacos.

I'm currently on a fish taco kick. Actually, it's more of an
obsession. I really love fish tacos. All of the elements are so fresh: Lightly
grilled white fish. Red leafy cabbage. Creamy sauce. Yep, they rock. I would
take a balanced fish taco over a stand-alone piece of baked cod any day. Plus,
quality fish tacos can be found everywhere: From a food truck to a five-star
restaurant. They whisper a whimsical rhyme, “I'm delicious, I'm nutritious, and
some might even call me pretentious.”

A fish taco isn't meant to be intimidating. It is meant to
be embraced by the masses. It's sort of like Jennifer Lawrence. (I can only assume
she is the kind of person who could drink Coors Light by the pool with you and
your friends, and attend the Primetime Emmy's the same night.)
A classless delicacy re: the tacos, not J-Lawrence.

I'm not completely sure I can pinpoint when my obsession
with fish tacos began. I think it was about a year ago, in Houston, and had to
do with Lent. But, to spare you guys the long back story, I'll summarize the
memorable parts.

So here you go: A brown-eyed girl (ME!) walks into a
restaurant called Canyon Cafe for lunch, wearing stone-washed shorts, a loose
cotton-shirt, black pleather strappy sandals, and over-sized Marc Jacobs
sunglasses, inspired by most female Houstonians during spring.

I was hungry, obvi. A young hostess led me to a table on the
perimeter of the patio. Sunlight filtered on my face, promising yet another,
scorching day in H-town. I scanned the menu, looking for a Friday friendly
Catholic dish. After a quick internal debate, I decided on the grilled fish
tacos, but passed on a“Limit-2” Margarita. (After an hour, I would have had no
recollection of the fish taco taste if I would have ordered the drink. Hashtag,
lightweight.)

The waitress wrote down my order, took the menu, and placed
a basket of tortilla chips in the center of the table. As she walked away, I
dipped a spice-coated chip in red salsa and twisted uncomfortably in my chair.
The hunger had me antsy. I grasped my water and took several sips, flipping
through my Twitter feed. Ten minutes later, the waitress put a hot plate of
tacos, beans, and rice on my table.

She eyed me, amused, “Was there anything else you needed?”I felt like she was judging me for my inability to sit
still, but I smiled cheerfully, “No, thanks.”

The tacos were sickeningly amazing. The fish was perfectly
cooked and the corn tortillas were warm. They had a magical taste; they were
healthy with the indulgent flavor of a delectable carbohydrate. I knew this was
the beginning of our soul-baring friendship.

Ever since that lunch, I've been acquiring “favorite” fish
taco places like Americans acquire diabetes. I'm on a mission to find the best
fish taco, like ever! The crème-de-la-crème of tacos de pescado. The Lucy meets Ricky
pairing of Mexican cuisine.

Operation: Find the holy zeitgeist of fish tacos.
Accepted.

Current Rankings Thus Far

I am accepting, any and all, suggestions

Best Fish Tacos: (Worth It.)

1.Canyon Cafe: Houston, Texas

2.Gloria's Restaurant: Dallas, Texas

3.Mi Cocina: Dallas, Texas

4.Berryhill Baja Grill: Houston, Texas

5.Irma's: Houston, Texas

Decent Fish Tacos: (But Not Really Worth It)

1.Escalante's: Houston, Texas

2.Manny's Uptown: Dallas, Texas

3.Cafe Herrera: Dallas, Texas

4.The Taco Joint: Dallas, Texas

5.Urban Taco: Dallas, Texas

P.S. I do have my own recipe for homemade tacos. It involves
Schwan's frozen fish, Mission Soft and Fluffy Tortillas, pre-chopped
ingredients and Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning. Just put the seasoning on the
frozen white fish and place in a convection oven for 30 or so min. I'm very
proud of my fish taco recipe. I should be on Food Network.

Randomly:

My birthday is coming up in a few weeks. Send Diet Dr.
Pepper and Hot Tamales.

Ari is heartwrenchingly adorable.

If they aren't laughing, it doesn't mean they aren't
thinking. BECAUSE THEY ARE!

I love smiling. :)

Laters

Disclaimer: The first photo is from Berryhill Baja Grill. The second is from Gloria's restaurant.

Britt O'Grady

I am a Physician Assistant, food lover, television addict, people watcher, lip singer, and pseudo-professional restaurant patron. Forever obsessed with all things caffeinated and campaigning to be the Samantha Brown of medicine.